crossbow reviews

I have been a fan of Stuart Horwitz since I read Blueprint Your Bestseller. BYB is a book that will change the way you think about writing. It was the first book that provided any meaningful advice on discovering and / or developing the theme of a story. BYB and Book Architecture focus on finding the strongest scenes, building the best narrative order, and uncovering what your story's “one thing” is.

Both books demonstrate techniques for physically taking apart your story and laying it out to see what goes where and what goes...away. I created a digital version of the series grid in Excel. So far I really like it. (I haven't really been allowed to play with scissors since kindergarten.)

Book Architecture is one of those books that I believe will improve my writing now, but will also continue to improve it in the future. I feel that each story I apply the Book Architecture method to will be stronger and cleaner in the end. This is not a formula. It takes work.

I received an advanced reading copy, but halfway through the book, I just bought my own because the actual Kindle version is easier to navigate than the PDF and I really liked the method. Then I pulled Blueprint Your Bestseller to the front of my Kindle carousel for easier access as well.

Originality

I really appreciated the unique approach of BA and BYB. Plot is addressed, but not directly. Structure is important, but serves the writer. Character is critical, but developed in the narative order of the story. I have studied so many books on writing that at this point, a breath of fresh air really leaves an impression.

Many followers of Mr. Horwitz's advice may tell you this is the only book you need, other than style and grammar guides. These individuals might be correct. I am still applying all the lessons that I have learned and using several other good paradigms when they seem to work. I think, however, that the better I get at this method, the less of the others I will need to use.